The robins are returning, the snow geese are here and the weeds are starting to show their little heads, so I guess Spring is right around the corner. I should have purchased seeds before this and started them inside, but was wondering where people on this forum have found the best places to buy seeds like tomatoes and other seeds related to pizza making?

I have a few oregano perennials and especially like the one that I bought on Ebay last year of Mexican Oregano. Hopefully it has survived the winter. When looking for Oregano is there one specific kind to look for?

My parsley is already green and growing. Is there any one particular kind that people favor? I also was wondering if there is any special places to find perennials?

I still was looking around our area to see if I could find some places that sell different herbs or perennials.

I found a place not far from me that has many different kinds of herbs and perennials. I went there yesterday and although the plants wonít be ready to sell for a few weeks, they did have dried herbs from last year. The lady that owns Cloverleaf Herb Farm was very knowable about all the herbs and perennials. The prices of dried herbs were great. I bought some Cinnamon Basil, Purple Basil, and Lemon Verbena dried. When I was talking to the owner she said they sell Amish Paste tomato plants, that are good for making sauce. She said they are like a Roma paste tomato. I wonder if anyone has tried them to make pizza sauce? They are also going to be a vendor at the Herb and Garden Faire at Landis Valley Museum, May 7th and 8th if anyone lives in this area. Landis Valley Museum are also going to have around 70 vendors selling different Herbs and Perennials if anyone is interested in attending.

I got my seeds from here. http://www.johnnyseeds.com/. I got two different types of tomatoes, basil, oregano, and marjoram. I should have got parsley to but I forgot.

BrickStoneOven,

Thanks for your help. I see they have many kinds of seeds where you placed your order. I will see what I might want to purchase. Best of Luck with your seeds. I am also looking for a type of Greek Oregano that is called Krinos. I do buy it dried from an Italian Grocery store near me in big bunches. It is very fragrant.

I bought seeds last night at Lowes. Brick stone they do carry parsley. Norma they also had a wide selection of flowers. I have always used Burpee and have had good results. This weekend I will be picking up some horse manure. I will be planting another type of basil we allready have basil, oregano, parsley, and thyme growing. We will also have three types of tomatoes, two types cucumber, two types of pole peas, zucchini, and sweet peppers. My daughter will have fun raising the seeds for transplant.

I bought seeds last night at Lowes. Brick stone they do carry parsley. Norma they also had a wide selection of flowers. I have always used Burpee and have had good results. This weekend I will be picking up some horse manure. I will be planting another type of basil we allready have basil, oregano, parsley, and thyme growing. We will also have three types of tomatoes, two types cucumber, two types of pole peas, zucchini, and sweet peppers. My daughter will have fun raising the seeds for transplant.

Bob

Bob,

Best of luck to you and your daughter in planting the seeds and watching them grow. Your idea of the horse manure is good.

I am looking for Heirloom or old varieties of seeds or perennials to try.

Brandywine (OG) (Solanum lycopersicum) and the Tomatoberry Garden (F1) tomatoes sure do look delicious. I am not sure about the Greek oregano you just viewed. The kind of oregano I am looking for is tall and bushy.

I purchased two kinds of San Marzano tomatoes seeds to try this year from Tomato Growers Supply Company in Florida. They are the San Marzano Redorta and the San Marzano. I know they only say the true DOP San Marzano tomatoes can only be grown in Italy, but wanted to try some ideas to if they can grow in my area.

I have been looking around for some volcanic ash and really canít find too much, except this site that says it sells volcanic ash for pottery making. I am wondering if anyone knows if this is also a volcanic ash that could be added to my soil? 1 lb. of this volcanic ash is 1.23 and 10 lbs. is 10.00.

I also want to try some river dirt from the Susquehanna River near my place. I can just go down there and dip some up. There is a place called Washington Boro and although they donít sell San Marzano tomatoes, they do have the best regular tomatoes I have ever tasted. Many people go there to purchase their tomatoes because they claim the tomatoes get their flavor from the dirt being near the river. They mostly sell Jet Star Sweet tomatoes, but also sell Sunbright Tomatoes. The difference between the two are:The Jets Start Tomato was developed in the 1950s. When ripe, it is juicier, softer and sweeter tomato then the Sunbright. The Jets Star also has a thinner skin.The Sunbright Tomato is a more firm tomato and a longer shelf lifethan the jet Star. The Sunbright is a meaty tomato with a thickerskin, but not the sweetness of the Jets Star.

They also have a facebook page about the tomato festival at Washington Boro. If you look under read more at the basic information you can see they use the Jet Start Tomatoes. They are delicious.

Norma,One theory I heard was that the volcanic ash filters the water. Maybe you could experiment with a sandy soil in a large pot and shield it from the acid rain. Then only water it with filtered or better yet distilled water. Just a thought.

Norma,One theory I heard was that the volcanic ash filters the water. Maybe you could experiment with a sandy soil in a large pot and shield it from the acid rain. Then only water it with filtered or better yet distilled water. Just a thought.

Bob

Bob,

Thanks for you ideas. I am going to dig some sandy soil from the river at Washington Boro. If I can find some volcanic ash that is suitable, I will use that, too.

If I can get the tomato plants started, I might use your idea about only using filtered water and keeping the tomato plants shaded from the rain.

Johnny's is a little pricey but I think there is a noticeable difference in their quality on the good side.

Randy,

Thanks for telling there is a noticeable difference in the quality at johnny seeds. I guess I will order a packet from them, also. I do want to try out the Amish Paste tomatoes. I will buy those already started. I hear they are great, too. LOL, I hope it isn't too dry here this summer or I will be spending most of my time watering.

Norma,When I do my garden I lay down soaker hose. They sell design kits with hose that can be cut and you can buy the fittings required. It costs a little up front but lasts for years. I run a header then tap rows off that. You can also get a timer. I lay down the hose and then cover it with mulch to keep the moisture. It saves on water for a large garden, and also gives a consistant feeding.

Norma,When I do my garden I lay down soaker hose. They sell design kits with hose that can be cut and you can buy the fittings required. It costs a little up front but lasts for years. I run a header then tap rows off that. You can also get a timer. I lay down the hose and then cover it with mulch to keep the moisture. It saves on water for a large garden, and also gives a consistant feeding.

Bob

Bob,

Thanks for the tips on using the soaker hose. Do you usually plan on planting a large garden? That is something I did years ago. I only now plant herbs and tomatoes. Too much work to take of a whole garden for me now. Did you ever try the manure tea?

Norma,Yes we do a nice size garden. I have never used the manure tea. I just till horse manure into the soil and it works pretty well. The main work is in fertilizing, tilling, and mulching. After the mulch no weeds grow. The plants just need to be staked. I assumed with all your energy you would be doing something with descent size. Is it worth it for me to learn more about the tea?

Norma,Yes we do a nice size garden. I have never used the manure tea. I just till horse manure into the soil and it works pretty well. The main work is in fertilizing, tilling, and mulching. After the mulch no weeds grow. The plants just need to be staked. I assumed with all your energy you would be doing something with descent size. Is it worth it for me to learn more about the tea?

Thanks,

Bob

Bob,

Sounds like you are going to have a nice size garden. The manure tea is a good organic fertilizer. Doesn't take that much to make. You can use the nursery variety or get some fresh. Manure tea is simple to make. This is the ratio that is used for the water and manure (5 parts water to 1 part manure). You can either place a shovel full of manure in a 5-gallon bucket, which will require straining, or in a large burlap sack or pillowcase. This is a basic manure tea I use, but there are more on the web. Just be careful if you use this it isn't too strong or it will kill the leaves or roots. It should look like weak tea. It should be fermented for at least a week or more is better.Kinda sounds like using yeast and allowing the dough to ferment.